Kaizen Way to Change for Good

“The man who moves a mountain begins

by carrying away small stones.”

-Confucius

My professor in college once taught us about Kaizen and until today it has remained as a great philosophy to me when it comes to the perspective of business. However this is not just something we can do in business, Kaizen is a philosophy we can use in our life and within ourselves.

Here’s the Kaizen way to upgrade yourself.

Kaizen is a combined Japanese words “Kai-” which means “change” and “-zen” which means “good”. According to Toyota, Kaizen means “continuous improvement” or “small incremental improvements” of all areas of a company, not just manufacturing. If we continue talking about Kaizen in business way, I might have to include some methodologies and charts, and I’m not going to do that haha.

Basically, Kaizen means “change for the better” and “continuous improvement”. It’s a practice of taking small step to continuously improve for the better.

“Attempts to reach goals through radical or revolutionary 

means often fail because they heighten fear. 

But the small steps of Kaizen disarm the brains fear response, 

stimulating rational thought and creative play.”

- Robert Maurer Ph.D.

Take very small steps

Keep in mind that as long as you’re doing something towards your goal, you are moving forward and you are walking towards your destination. For example, if you want to start being mindful, start with little step like appreciating the view. If you want to be minimal, start with deleting the unnecessary files on your phone. If you want to get fit, start by taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

It’s the small step that truly counts. You don’t have to take an unnecessary huge step. Break down your goals. Take one step at a time, and be consistent.

“Small rewards are the perfect encouragement. 

Not only are they inexpensive and convenient, 

but they also stimulate the internal motivation 

required for lasting change.”

- Robert Maurer Ph. D.

Give yourself small rewards

Even just as simple as encouragement and praise, or giving yourself a square of chocolate, reward is reward, and reward motivates us to get things done. And once you’re being consistent, you are actually developing those tasks and small steps as a routine. For example, once you finished one school assignment, you get to watch one YouTube vlog. Keep balance and be wise.

If I were to give a personal example, I’d say that I hate exercising. I’m the only one in the family who exercises, but I don’t do it often. However, every time I push myself to exercise (even just for 10-30 minutes), I always always feel so good about myself afterwards because I’m doing something to improve myself. So I kind of, get this pride that “Hey Fads, you exercised, you are improving, and you will change because you are doing something.”

To achieve a bold goal, simply focus on smallest step you can take to make progress. The steps may be small, but the improvement and change you’ll experience won’t be.

The Astron

@imfads

Inspired by:

One Small Step Can Change Your Life - Robert Maurer Ph. D.

Photo by:

Andrew Neel on Unsplash